Using the AI-RAN Alliance framework as its foundation and leveraging our RAN Automationreport, this new report sizes and forecasts the AI-driven RAN hardware, software and servicesrevenue market. Defined as AI-RAN, it includes GPU-based RAN (gRAN) and its orchestrator;the O-RAN Alliance’s near-Real Time RAN Intelligent Controller (RIC) xApps, non-Real TimeRIC rApps, and service management orchestration (SMO); and the Third GenerationPartnership Project’s (3GPP) self-organizing networks (SON). Lastly, this report analyzes theongoing evolution of AI-powered SON to RIC and SMO to AI-RAN.
- ABSTRACT
- KEY TAKEAWAYS
- AI IS ALREADY IN THE RAN AND READY TO TAKE IT OVER, GEAR UP FOR AI-RAN!
- THE ABILITY TO RUN AND MANAGE RAN AND AI WORKLOADS CONCURRENTLY DEFINES AI-RAN
- NVIDIA’s AI-RAN transforms traditional RAN from a cost center to a profit center
- WHILE SOFTBANK PLANS TO DEPLOY AI-RAN IN 2026, MICROSOFT PROPOSES A DISTRIBUTED AI PLATFORM FOR 6G RAN
- Whatever Microsoft and SoftBank do with AI in the RAN, it needs to be smoothly integrated in existing networks
- AI-RAN BRINGS GPU TO THE RAN
- That sparked an agitated GPU vs. CPU debate!
- AITRAS IS THE NAME OF SOFTBANK’S AI-RAN THAT ALSO INCLUDES FUJITSU’S RU AND VRAN SOFTWARE
- A GPU-based AI-RAN is an expensive proposition but SoftBank does not think so
- Microsoft’s and Softbank’s AI-RAN research led to the launch of the AI ran alliance
- While AI for RAN is here, SoftBank validated AI and RAN but AI on RAN is far fetched
- WHILE GPU-BASED RAN IS INCIPIENT, THE AI FOR RAN MARKET IS ALIVE AND KICKING
- AI for RAN will dominate the AI-RAN market throughout the forecast period
- We count on Softbank to introduce its AITRAS in its RAN footprint in 2026
- We expect Japan and South Korea to be early adopters of GRAN as a path to 6G
- In the U.S., only T-Mobile is on board so far but not in a rush
- CHINA IS SHOOTING FOR L4 AUTONOMOUS NETWORKS AND HAS ITS OWN AI-RAN APPROACH AND ECOSYSTEM
- In fact, with DeepSeek, China has a cheaper alternative to offer, which is going to change the world’s AI order
- DeepSeek R1’s support for Huawei’s Ascend platform poses a direct challenge to Nvidia and therefore, to the AI-RAN Alliance
- AI-RAN WOULD HAVE NEVER BEEN POSSIBLE WITHOUT THE EVOLUTION FROM D-RAN TO C-RAN, VRAN AND OPEN RAN
-
- Embedded in D-RAN, D-SON paved the way to AI for RAN
- AI for RAN started with the introduction of 3GPP SON algorithms in 2008…
- Leveraging SON and MDT, 3GPP AI RAN Rel. 18 is the first release of 5G-Advanced that introduces AI and ML to the RAN
- 3GPP Release 19 will continue to embed AI/ML to make 5G-Advanced more intelligent
- From ML to LLMs for RAN optimization
- Generative AI is a quantum leap in the realization of autonomous RAN
- Aira Technologies adopted GenAI to augment its existing software, accelerate RAN automation, and deliver its autonomous RAN vision
- Ericsson is incorporating AI in its RAN portfolio across L1, L2, L3
- Nokia proposes a neural transmitter, demapper and receiver
- Samsung is conducting research on AI-RAN, looking at how to integrate AI into RAN
- Huawei’s IntelligentRAN uses Generative AI, we don’t know if it is DeepSeek
- ZTE provides its uSmartNets platform that includes an AI for RAN component
Research Assistance
Download our eBook: How to Succeed Using Market Research
Learn how to effectively navigate the market research process to help guide your organization on the journey to success.
Download eBook